Four steps to church success

In several cases, failure to comprehend and apply this basic rule has resulted in a lot of activity, much frustration, and little or no meaningful productivity.

Primarily, we can safely say that the fundamental purpose of the church is to effect change — change or enhancement in the lives of people, communities, societies and nations. Our function is to use the resources which Christ, the Head of the Church, makes available to us through His Word — the Bible — and the Holy Spirit. These must be utilised to produce positive spiritual, moral, social and political change.

In undertaking this assignment, however, the Church must understand that there is a structured, methodical and strategic approach which should be adopted, consistent with the scriptural philosophy of Christ. In several cases, failure to comprehend and apply this basic rule has resulted in a lot of activity, much frustration, and little or no meaningful productivity. There are four essential steps which we must observe in our initiatives towards change:

1. Power: The Body of Christ (Church) is provided with the power to carry out our given assignment. “You shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you, to be witnesses ...” (Acts 1:8).  This power came at the birth of the Church on the Day of Pentecost, about 2000 years ago (Acts 2: 1,2). Pentecostals, in particular, are quite fascinated by this empowerment for service. This is okay. But the big problem arises when we attempt to shorten the process for effecting change by moving directly from power to change. The second step is imperative.

2. Influence: This is a very critical stage and can easily make the difference between success and failure. Power must be translated to influence as electrical energy is converted into light and heat, in order to produce the desired result. Power can also be likened to potential energy, while influence can be paralleled with the kinetic. Power without influence is similar to responsibility without authority. When we can translate our power into influence, we will be able to win people’s confidence, and subsequently, their allegiance.

In my book Effectively Using the Media, I make the point that the Prime Minister, for example, may have the power, but the media may have the influence. The one with the influence usually wins. The government of Uriah Butler’s day had the power, but Butler had the influence on the masses. He that had the influence got the allegiance. When the politics reaches the stage where the Government of the day has the power, but the Opposition has the influence, the Opposition becomes the Government when they face the polls. As Christians, we are called “the salt of the earth” (Matt 5: 13). The power of salt serves no purpose unless it can “influence” the food in the pot. The Church must be an entity which influences every sphere of life. Along with spiritual patterns, we must influence behaviour, social order, moral trends, legislation, the status quo, political direction and vital decision-making.

3. Impact: In my leadership and motivational lectures, I usually deal with this as an independent topic which I caption “The Art of Creating Impact”. The effectiveness at the impact stage is directly proportional to what obtains at the influence level. The impact has to do with how well the influence has affected its target. If the influence is great, the impact will be great. In setting out to make an impact, therefore, one must keep in mind the need for making an indelible impression — one which convinces and convicts. Of course, this will require mastering salesmanship and skilful execution of the plan. Mediocrity, lack of resolve, defective focus and fortitude, poor communication skills, deficient creativity and bad interpersonal skills can all be disastrous in any attempt at creating impact. It take excellence to be effective.

There is no such thing as an excellent musician who fails to create impact. If he/she is excellent, impact is automatic. The same for an excellent footballer, cricketer, businessperson or preacher. Shakespeare has created the phenomenal impact the world has experienced for the past 400 years or so, because of sheer excellence in his field. Christ has shaken the world with His exponential growth in awesome impact for two millenniums, because of His demonstration of an undiluted, unmitigated and uncompromised standard of excellence in the functions of His call.

4. Change: Power, influence and impact result in change. This change may begin with a mere adjustment in perception or perspective, but change is inevitable as long as numbers 1 to 3 are covered. We must bear in mind, nonetheless, that change initiates a new beginning. A new beginning, in many respects, bears the nature of a newborn baby. Much nurturing and mentoring skills will be required to manage the change that’s birthed, so as to bring it to the level of maturity which ensures complete change, transformation or conversion.

Our success in God’s business is guaranteed as we follow the proper steps. He will give us His full support as we so do. He is a God of steps (structure) and order: “The steps of a righteous man are ordered of the Lord” (Ps 37: 23).